The Abia State representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Eruba Dimgba, has described recent claims of poor NDDC projects in Ukwa West Local Government Area as a misleading and unfortunate misrepresentation of reality.
Dimgba also condemned calls by certain individuals in Ukwa West for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to replace him as NDDC Commissioner with Odinakachi Enyeribe Nwankwo.
It should be recalled that some online news media platforms (Newsportal not included) carried a news story entitled, “Ukwa West Laments Poor NDDC Projects, Begs Tinubu To Name Nwankwo NDDC Commissioner”.
The call, reportedly made by Elder Uju Nwarie and Mr. Innocent Chiuwa during a rally, was described by Dimgba as misleading, mischievous and inconsistent with the aspirations of the majority of people in Ukwa West.
In a statement issued by Elder ThankGod Akoma, Special Aide to the NDDC Commissioner, Dimgba said the Commission had implemented several development interventions across Ukwa West, including the installation of solar-powered street lights in villages, postgraduate scholarships for qualified indigenes, medical outreaches and youth empowerment programmes.
According to the statement, NDDC’s interventions extend beyond Ukwa West to all the local government areas in Abia State, which defeats the allegation that Ukwa West projects were being diverted to non-oil producing areas in the State.
“We respect the democratic right of any Nigerian to aspire to public office. However, to suggest the removal of a sitting Commissioner who is working and delivering results, based on unfounded allegations, is an insult to the collective sensibility of Ukwa West people who deserve continuity and consolidation, not distractions,” the statement said.
Dimgba described the campaign against his continued tenure as a form of political propaganda targeted at his personality, insisting that he would remain focused on projects and initiatives that would benefit Ukwa West and Abia State.
He further argued that changing leadership in the middle of ongoing projects could disrupt implementation, truncate existing programmes and delay the delivery of additional development projects to the people.
The NDDC Commissioner reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda, while urging APC stakeholders, leaders and residents of Ukwa West to reject divisive politics and support unity, continuity and development.
